WHERE’S THE BUNNY? by Ingela P Arrhenius, Candlewick Press, Jan. 2, 2024, Board Book, $9.99 (ages 0-2)

Five illustrated spreads show a series of baby animals, including a puppy, a mouse, a duckling, and a bunny, hiding beneath bright felt flaps. With a mirror on the final page, this is the perfect book to share with very little ones. —Synopsis provided by Candlewick

This interactive board book is perfect for little hands, especially because the felt flaps not only feel soft, but they’re easy to manipulate. The mirror at the end is a nice touch. This one will get a lot of use.

MY LITTLE LAMB, by Hannah Eliot and Jennifer A. Bell, Little Simon, Jan. 16, 2024, Board Book, $7.99 (ages 0-2)

This sweet springtime board book with a padded cover is perfect to share with your gentle little lamb.

My little lamb,
come snuggle with me.
Then off on your own,
with the birds and bees.

Lambs have adventures during the day then come home safe and sound for nighttime snuggles. —Synopsis provided by Little Simon

Robust construction makes this perfect for little hands. Sweet pastel illustrations evoke the feeling of spring.

EASTER BUNNY, WHERE ARE YOU?: A Lift-the-Flap Book! by Jeffrey Burton and Juliana Motzko, Little Simon, Jan. 16, 2024, Board Book, $8.99 (ages 0-3)

Easter Bunny, where are you?
Do you want to play?
I know you’re hiding somewhere.
It’s almost Easter day.

It’s almost Easter, but the Easter Bunny is nowhere to be found! Maybe the Easter Bunny is hiding behind that bush or that gate or maybe that tree. Look under the sturdy flaps to see whose fluffy tail or furry foot that really is—and find an Easter surprise on the last page! —Synopsis provided by Little Simon

This interactive book features chunky flaps that are easy for little hands to manipulate. Cute illustrations and fun calls to action are perfect for babies and toddlers.

OOPS! RABBIT (Jo Ham’s Rabbit), by Jo Ham, Candlewick Studio, March 5, 2024, Hardcover, $9.99 (ages 0-3)

Rabbit on. Oops! Rabbit off . . . With some endearing misadventures, Jo Ham’s international sensation hops into the pages of a picture-book series.

Big waves and sandcastles, paint cans and tippy chairs—accidents happen! And with cheeky, curious, and sweet-toothed Rabbit, they’re almost inevitable.

The creation of Jo Ham, whose art celebrates the magic of everyday life, Rabbit has been spotted everywhere from the Centre Pompidou in Paris to the Institute of Contemporary Art in Boston and on mugs and nursery decorations in homes around the world. Now the iconic black-silhouetted bunny appears in a series of children’s books. —Synopsis provided by Candlewick

This book celebrates the power of simplicity. Sparse words and a black-silhouetted bunny are all that are needed to make this charming book work.

THE GREAT EASTER EGG HUNT: A Search and Find Adventure (Brown Bear Wood), by Rachel Piercey and Freya Hartas, Harry N. Abrams, Jan. 9, 2024, Board Book, $9.99 (ages 0-5)

Follow Bear and his friends on their Great Easter Egg Hunt adventure in the forest, which has 100 eggs to find and count. Can you help them?

Through the woodland, someone kind
has hidden one hundred eggs to find . . .
So would you like to join the fun
and help us spot them, one by one? —Synopsis provided by Harry N. Abrams

The Great Easter Egg Hunt is part counting book, part scavenger hunt, part Easter celebration. With rhythmic text and incredibly detailed pictures, this is a book the whole family will enjoy.

WHO LAID THESE EGGS? (An Animal Traces Book), by Laura Gehl and Loris Lora, Harry N. Abrams, Jan. 9, 2024, Board Book, $9.99 (ages 2 and up)

In this nonfiction board book, young readers will see eggs in different environments on each spread. They can lift the flaps to discover all of the different animal nests and eggs—and learn a simple fact about each species. Featured creatures include robins, alligators, ostriches, salmon, butterflies, seagulls, snakes, and chickens, plus the kids who gather the eggs from the coop! —Synopsis provided by Harry N. Abrams

What better way to look forward to spring than a sweet board book about new life. The question-and-answer format of Who Laid These Eggs? is perfect for little readers. It adds a fun interactive element beyond the lifting flaps. Bright illustrations of cute animals will draw little ones in. The pages are made of thick stock, as are the flaps, standing up to lots of use. Who Laid These Eggs would make a good Valentine’s Day, Easter, or just because gift.

IS THIS . . . EASTER? (Helen Yoon’s Is This . . .?) by Helen Yoon, Candlewick, Jan. 2, 2024, Hardcover, $10.99 (ages 3-7)

Look, an egg! An egg left by a bunny! What does that mean? It means it’s time to celebrate . . . Easter! Or is it time to celebrate breakfast?

In Helen Yoon’s scenario, a difference of opinion arises between excitable pups, and the egg bearer (and ultimate squabble settler) is, naturally, an enormous,

Zen-like bear wearing tiny bunny ears. As the bear demonstrates, whether it’s decorating eggs or eating them, Easter is kind of . . . delicious!  —Candlewick

This humorous look at Easter is a bit silly, but kids will love the antics, and it might give them a few ideas about what to do with all those eggs when the time comes around.

BUNNY SHOULD BE SLEEPING, by Amy Hest and Renata Liwska, Neal Porter Books, March 5, 2024, Hardcover, $18.99 (ages 4-8)

Bunny should be sleeping, but instead, he is waiting for Dad to come check on him. Dad always checks on him, but tonight, Dad is late.

Soon Dad will come. He will come in the night
to check on his little Bunny. Come on, Dad!
Check on me, check on me, check on me!

Bunny can’t wait anymore— he needs his dad! Slipping out of bed, Bunny packs a wagon of everything Dad might need: some water, a blanket, a snack, and their favorite book to share. Down the hall and through the dark, Bunny finds Dad fast asleep, oblivious to all the supplies Bunny offers him.

At last, Bunny resorts to a tap on the nose to wake Dad up. Dad checks on Bunny, and Bunny checks on Dad, who is happy to see him, if still groggy. They read their special book, and all is right with the world again. —Synopsis provided by Neal Porter Books

This gentle bedtime story serves as a reminder to little ones that they are safe and loved, even when they’re alone in their rooms at night. Warm text and adorable illustrations make this a lovely read.

Copyright © 2024 Cracking the Cover. Unless otherwise noted, all books — digital and physical — have been provided by publishers in exchange for honest and unbiased reviews. All thoughts and opinions are those of the reviewer.

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WHO LAID THESE EGGS? (An Animal Traces Book), by Laura Gehl and Loris Lora, Harry N. Abrams, Jan. 9, 2024, Board Book, $9.99 (ages 2 and up)

Learn about eight animal species and their nests in Who Laid These Eggs, a lift-the-flap book by Laura Gehl and Loris Lora.

In this nonfiction board book, young readers will see eggs in different environments on each spread. They can lift the flaps to discover all of the different animal nests and eggs—and learn a simple fact about each species. Featured creatures include robins, alligators, ostriches, salmon, butterflies, seagulls, snakes, and chickens, plus the kids who gather the eggs from the coop! —Synopsis provided by Harry N. Abrams

What better way to look forward to spring than a sweet board book about new life. The question-and-answer format of Who Laid These Eggs? is perfect for little readers. It adds a fun interactive element beyond the lifting flaps. Bright illustrations of cute animals will draw little ones in. The pages are made of thick stock, as are the flaps, standing up to lots of use. Who Laid These Eggs would make a good Valentine’s Day, Easter, or just because gift.

Copyright © 2024 Cracking the Cover. Unless otherwise noted, all books — digital and physical — have been provided by publishers in exchange for honest and unbiased reviews. All thoughts and opinions are those of the reviewer.

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BABY BASICS: COLORS CLOTH BOOK (TW BABY BASICS), by Marion Billet, Twirl; 1st edition, April 4, 2023, Fabric, $22.99 (ages 0-3)

Introduce babies to 11 colors in this large and snuggly cloth book with eight different textures perfect for early tactile learning and developing fine motor skills. Bright, eye-catching illustrations of cute animals feature the primary colors, as well as secondary ones like gray, pink, and orange. Plush and cloth book are made of soft non-toxic and machine-washable fabric. —Synopsis provided by Twirl

This fun fabric book is a fun option for the littlest readers. Since it’s fabric, you don’t have to worry about breaking pages or it going in their mouths. Directions say to hand wash (although from my own experience where a similar book was puked on, delicate wash and air-dry work, too). If this book had been around when my daughter was born, I would have bought it, and I won’t hesitate gifting it as well.

LITTLE CHICKS (TARO GOMI), by Taro Gomi, Chronicle Books, Feb. 28, 2023, Board Book, $7.99 (ages 0-3)

From the beloved author of Everyone Poops, a charming tale of three little chicks who are ready to explore the big, wide world together! Running in sunshine and in the rain, over grassy fields and past friendly neighbors, these chicks are as eager for adventure as they are to run back home into the arms of their caring parents at the end of a long day. —Synopsis provided by Chronicle Books

This sweet little board book introduces young readers to the ideas of adventure and discovery and mixes it with the love that comes with being at home. Simple text and some “bigger” vocabulary words (energetically, together) make for a fun read-aloud. Kids will love the colorful chicks.

PICK A PERFECT EGG, by Patricia Toht and Jarvis, Candlewick, Feb. 14, 2023, Hardcover, $17.99 (ages 3-5)

Pick a perfect egg with care—
Choose a white one nestled there.
Gather more and softly stack them.
Just be cautious not to crack them!

Pairing Jarvis’s illustrations with Patricia Toht’s rhythmic text, this holiday ode hops through a busy springtime day all the way to Easter Sunday. From the farm where you’ve carefully selected your eggs — eggs perfect for drawing on with crayon, for plopping into dyes and bejeweling — follow along as preparations continue for the much-awaited festivities. Then on Sunday, open your door and search for eggs of a different kind, filled with foil-wrapped chocolate, spinning tops, and jelly beans. —Synopsis provided by Candlewick

This fun picture book celebrates eggs and the (secular) role they play in Easter celebrations. Energetic and colorful illustrations draw readers in, and rhyming text makes it a fun read-aloud for kids and adults.

MY FIRST MOM AND DAUGHTER JOURNAL: AN ACTIVITY BOOK FOR GIRLS AND MOMS TOGETHER, by Katie Clemons and Anna and Daniel Clark, Sourcebooks Explore, Feb. 7, 2023, Softcover, $14.99 (ages 5-8) and MY FIRST MOM AND SON JOURNAL: AN ACTIVITY BOOK FOR BOYS AND MOMS TOGETHER, by Katie Clemons and Anna and Daniel Clark, Sourcebooks Explore, Feb. 7, 2023, Softcover, $14.99 (ages 5-8)

As your little girl or boy grows up and learns to read and write, the two of you can catch special memories in this journal as you swap stories, compare ideas, and explore things you love with each other! Letters, drawings back and forth, and interactive lists invite mother and child to reflect, write, and doodle about all of the things in their life together. With this unique journal for young kids just learning to read and write, mother and child will illustrate or write:

• • • Answers to thought provoking journal prompts and activities―Coloring and drawing activities; Circle your favorite prompts; many more fun activities!
    • Special memories―Here is a picture of something I worked really hard to learn; When I was little, I liked to
    • Personal perspectives―I wake up at; I go to sleep at; I dream about —Synopsis provided by Sourcebooks Explore

Though the suggested age range for this journal is 5-8, it will probably appeal to kids up to 10. My 9-year-old is very interested in doing this together, and she’ll be able to be the one in charge, which will make her all the happier. These charming journals are approximately 140 pages, and feature fun prompts that cover everything from feelings to favorite pizza toppings and everything in between. It’s a great opportunity to bond and learn a little more about each other.

Copyright © 2023 Cracking the Cover. Unless otherwise noted, all books — digital and physical — have been provided by publishers in exchange for honest and unbiased reviews. All thoughts and opinions are those of the reviewer.

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All synopsizes are italicized in blue and provided by respective publishers. Reviews are by Jessica. Scroll down for the complete list or click or tap the following links to directly visit a section BIRTH & UP • AGES 2 AND UP • AGES 3 AND UP • AGES 7 AND UP 

BIRTH & UP

EASTER, by Gail Gibbons, Holiday House, Jan. 18, 2022, Board Book, $8.99 (ages 0-3)

Is a toddler in your life celebrating Easter for the first time? Guide them through the basics of the sweet holiday with this simple board book. Colorful, detailed illustrations accompany an easy-to-read description of Easter’s history and traditions. Maybe the Easter Bunny will even make an appearance! —Synopsis provided by Holiday House

Easter is a very simple introduction to the holiday. The book briefly touches on a number of aspects — religious, historical and contemporary. Bright colors and fun illustrations will appeal to young readers.

CRACK-CRACK! WHO IS THAT?, by Tristan Mory, Twirl, March 1, 2022, Board Book, $14.99 (ages 0-3)

Who will hatch from each egg? Pull on the handle to find out! Each adorable baby animal is revealed, accompanied by an enjoyable crack-crack-crack sound. ­—Synopsis provided by Twirl

Not many books actually make a sound, but this one does. With each pull of the handle, little ones will hear the eggs of each creature crack open. This fun-to-read aloud book features bright colors and fun characters, including a special Easter surprise at the end.

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AGES 2 AND UP

CONSTRUCTION SITE: SPRING DELIGHT: AN EASTER LIFT-THE-FLAP BOOK (GOODNIGHT, GOODNIGHT CONSTRUCTION SITE), by Sherri Duskey Rinker and AG Ford, Chronicle Books, March 15, 2022, Board Book, $12.99 (ages 2-4)

Celebrate the coming of spring with the construction crew from the bestselling Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site series!

It’s Easter at the construction site! As sunshine melts the snow away, the trucks discover all around them the signs of spring. Lift the flaps on each sturdy page to reveal blooming flowers, baby ducks, and gentle lambs—and a special Easter egg hunt surprise! With bestselling author Sherri Duskey Rinker’s rhyming text and illustrations by AG Ford, this interactive Easter tale will bring smiles to truck lovers and their families while celebrating the beauty of spring. —Synopsis provided by Chronicle Books

This book is a no-brainer for fans of the Construction Site series. Boys and girls alike will be drawn to its bold colors and friendly construction vehicles. The rhythmic text bounces as read aloud, bringing smiles to all who listen. Young readers will need help lifting the flaps the first or second time through — as is common with new books, they tend to stick a little at first. This book will quickly become a favorite.

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AGES 3 AND UP

FIVE LITTLE EASTER BUNNIES: A LIFT-THE-FLAP ADVENTURE (THE BUNNY ADVENTURES), by Martha Mumford, Sarah Jennings, Bloomsbury Children’s Books, Dec. 7, 2021, Hardcover, $17.99 (ages 3-6)

Join five little Easter bunnies as they set off on an exciting lift-the-flap Easter egg hunt. Help the bunnies find and count five delicious eggs as they climb trees, peek into nests, and look under leaves. Young readers will need to lift the flaps to find the tasty prizes, and there might be some surprises along the way too! —Synopsis provided by Bloomsbury Children’s Books

Five Little Easter Bunnies is the type of book you would have wanted as a kid. Bright colors, engaging characters and an interactive egg hunt make it a delight to read. The pages in this picture book are a heavier cardstock, providing a sturdy carrier for the flaps. My daughter loved We’re Going on an Egg Hunt, which is also by the same author and illustrator. This offers the same charmwith every turn of the page.

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AGES 7 AND UP

THE PUG WHO WANTED TO BE A BUNNY, by Bella Swift, Aladdin, Feb. 22, 2022, Hardcover, $17.99, Paperback, $7.99 (ages 7-10)

Peggy competes with her new sibling in this third story in the illustrated middle grade series about Peggy the pug!

Peggy the pug’s family have adopted an adorable little bunny, just in time for Easter. Peggy used to be top dog, but now she has to share their attention with this long-eared newcomer. Jealous of the new pet, Peggy decides that she must become a rabbit to compete. Can every-bunny learn to get along and realize that there’s more than enough love to go around? —Synopsis provided by Aladdin

The Pug Who Wanted to be a Bunny is a great option for readers who are moving into chapter books. Larger font and charming black-and-white illustrations make it accessible while still feeling “grown-up.” Peggy the pug is a fun character that readers will immediately fall in love with. More advanced 6-year-olds shouldn’t have a problem with the text, but it might be a little too young feeling for 10-year-olds.

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Copyright © 2022 Cracking the Cover. Unless otherwise noted, all books — digital and physical — have been provided by publishers in exchange for honest and unbiased reviews. All thoughts and opinions are those of the reviewer.

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Below are some fun new releases that are sure to delight your young readers. While some are not holiday specific, they do embody the spirit of the holiday. Or you can check out these delightful spring books that would also brighten everyone’s day.

Synopses are provided by publishers.

AGES 0 AND UP

GOD IS GREAT, GOD IS GOOD, by Sanna Anderson Baker, The Estate of Sanna Anderson Baker, et al., Harry N. Abrams, Feb. 11, 2020, Board Book, $8.99 (ages 0-3)

Originally published in 1987 and now available as a board book for the first time, God Is Great,God Is Good showcases Tomie dePaola’s unmistakable illustration style against this poetic text based on passages from the Bible’s Book of Job.

AGES 2 AND UP

EGGS ARE EVERYWHERE: (BABY’S FIRST EASTER BOARD BOOK, EASTER EGG HUNT BOOK, LIFT THE FLAP BOOK FOR EASTER BASKET), by Chronicle Books and Wednesday Kirwan , Chronicle Books, Feb. 4, 2020, Board Book, $10.99 (ages 2-4)

The Easter egg hunt is on! With this bright and colorful hands-on toddler board book, the Easter tradition of the egg hunt comes to life in a playful, interactive way. Young children will turn the wheel to hide brightly colored Easter eggs inside baskets, under flowers, behind rocks, and even in hands. After the egg is hidden, it’s time to guess where it is! Lift the flap for the reveal in this game-in-a-book.

TOO MANY BUNNIES, by Tomie dePaola, Little Simon, Jan. 28, 2020, Board Book, $8.99 (ages 2-5)

Spring is here! That means it’s time for the Hopkins family to plant their beautiful gardens. But when fifteen eager rabbits try to dig, rake, plant, and water at the same time, will any work get done?

From award-winning author Tomie dePaola comes a story about what happens when you have too many bunnies.

AGES 3 AND UP

HAZEL AND TWIG: THE LOST EGG, by Brenna Burns Yu, Candlewick, March 17, 2020, Hardcover, $16.99 (ages 3-7)

Hazel and Twig are playing in the meadow one day when they discover an egg. “Let’s hatch it together!” suggests Hazel, and they sit on it to keep it warm. But an egg takes a very long time to hatch, so the sisters decide to bring the egg home with them. Hazel dreams of all the ways they will take care of their new pet after it hatches — building it a nest, teaching it to fly, and finding worms for it to eat. But is there a bird out there who will miss their egg?

DADDY LOVES YOU!, by Helen Foster James and Petra Brown, Sleeping Bear Press, March 15, 2020, Hardcover, $15.99 (ages 3-5)

From the author-illustrator team that created Grandma Loves You! comes a touching story just for Daddy and his newest little bunny. Told in charming verse with signature bunny characters, this book celebrates the unique relationship a father has with his child and the deep love they share, this pair’s adventures and tender moments will warm the heart.

AGES 5 AND UP

NO REST FOR THE EASTER BEAGLE (PEANUTS), by Tina Gallo, Charles M. Schulz, et al., Simon Spotlight, Jan. 28, 2020, Hardcover, $17.99 (ages 5-7)

It’s almost Easter and Snoopy is exhausted! He still has lots of eggs to color and hide. When Lucy recommends that the Easter Beagle take a break, it’s up to the Peanuts Gang to color and hide all the eggs. Everyone wants to help, but are they up to the task?

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BOARDBOOK

FIRST STORIES: BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, Feb 7, 2017 by Dan Taylor, Silver Dolphin Books, Feb. 7, 2017, Boardbook, $8.99 (ages 1 -4); FIRST STORIES: CINDERELLA by Dan Taylor, Silver Dolphin Books, March 14, 2017, Boardbook, $8.99 (ages 1 -4); FIRST STORIES: RAPUNZEL, by Dan Taylor, Silver Dolphin Books, March 14, 2017, Boardbook, $8.99 (ages 1 -4)

Beauty and the Beast, Cinderella and Rapunzel come to life in Silver Dolphin Books’ First Stories series by Dan Taylor. These are the classic tales you know and love simplified in scope but embellished with push, pull and turn elements.

At 3, my daughter has almost outgrown boardbooks, so it takes something really enticing to get her to open one. The minute she saw these three books, she took them away and figured them out on her own. She went through each one at least twice before moving on to something new. I think these books will enter into our “gift rotation” for a couple of nieces and nephews who are on the way.

AGES 2 AND UP

WHAT WILL GROW? by Jennifer Ward and Susie Ghahremani, Bloomsbury Children’s Books, Feb. 14, 2017, Hardcover, $16.99 (ages 2-5)

Seeds can be big or small, round or pointy, and all sorts of colors. They can become flowers, trees, fruits, or vegetables, and they sprout all times of year, during spring, summer, fall, and winter. But all seeds have one thing in common–inside each is a new plant life waiting to emerge. What kind of plant will bloom? Wait and see what will grow! —Synopsis provided by Bloomsbury Children’s Books

What Will Grow is the perfect book for this time of year. At our house, we started tomatoes, peppers and eggplants inside at the beginning of March. This weekend we planted peas, shallots and strawberry starts in our new raised garden beds. Our 3-year-old helped us with the whole process.

I can’t think of a better way to reinforce the idea that flowers, trees, fruits and vegetables come from seed rather than the grocery/home store. Our daughter loves the charming illustrations, including a ladybug on almost every page (her favorite!), and the pull-out gatefolds that make What Will Grow more than a book. There’s a fact section at the end of the book detailing when and how to plant the seeds featured and a chart showing the stages from seed to plant.

Pair What Will Grow with a packet of seeds to create an awesome gift. This could make for a really fun family activity that continues throughout the summer.

WE’RE GOING ON AN EGG HUNT, by Laura Hughes, Bloomsbury Children’s Books, Feb. 14, 2017, Hardcover, $17.99 (ages 2-5)

We’re going on an egg hunt.
We’re going to find them all.
We’re REALLY excited.
Hooray for Easter Day!

Join a family of bunnies as they set off on an lift-the-flap Easter egg hunt. There are ten eggs to find and count–but watch out for the obstacles along the way . . . Lambs, chicks, bees, and ducks await, and there’s even a wolfish surprise, so be careful! —Synopsis provided by Bloomsbury Children’s Books

A very small part of me groaned when I first read this book. That’s because it feels very much like another book — We’re Going on a Bear Hunt, by Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury. It reads like it, too: “Oh, no —BEES! Can’t go over them. Can’t go under them. Can’t go around them. Got to go through them… Buzz! Buzz! Buzz!” We’re Going on an Egg Hunt is a definite riff of the original.

But beyond that, I can’t complain. Readers are invited to help find eggs in a lift-the-flap-style layout. And the repetitive nature of the text keeps the story moving forward. I particularly like Laura Hughes’ sweet illustrations, which bring the story to life.

PLAY WITH ME! by Michelle Lee, G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers, Jan. 24, 2017, Hardcover, $16.99 (ages 2-5)

Playtime means very different things to these two spirited friends. Pip is full of ideas for what to play: Dress up! Magicians! Dolls! Only, Nico doesn’t want to play any of them, and Pip gets mad. REALLY mad. But don’t worry—Nico finds the perfect way for them to play together. —Synopsis provided by G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers

Learning how to play with other children is hard. I’ve spent a lot of time watching 3-year-olds play next to each other or follow one another around. They don’t quite grasp how it works, and often want to do different things. Hilarious illustrations paired with simple text help little ones see the big picture.

AGES 3 AND UP

RAIN by Sam Usher, Templar, March 28, 2017, Hardcover, $16.99 (ages 3-7)

Sam wants to go out, but it’s pouring rain, so Granddad says they need to stay inside until the rain stops. Sam drinks hot chocolate and reads his books and dreams of adventures while Granddad does some paperwork. When Granddad needs to mail his letter, it’s time to go out—despite the rain and floods—and Sam and Granddad have a magical adventure. The follow-up to the acclaimed Snow, this is the second title in a four-book series based on the weather from creator Sam Usher. —Synopsis provided by Templar

I can’t tell you how much I adore Rain. It’s as if Sam Usher met my 3-year-old daughter and wrote a book about her. She’s just hit that magical stage where her imagination and the real world collide. And there’s nothing she likes more than splashing in puddles.

Usher has done a superb job balancing text and illustrations, allowing each to speak for themselves or play a lesser role when needed. His bright and imaginative illustrations pop off the page. This is the perfect book for spring.

I WILL LOVE YOU, by Alyssa Satin Capucilli and Lisa Anchin, Orchard Books, March 28, 2017, Hardcover, $17.99 (ages 3-5)

In the very first moment, when you came to be,
I looked at you, and you looked at me.
I whispered these words as I held you near,
for all time, for all space, for the world to hear
I will love you.”

This is a story of precious mother/daughter moments. Every parent wants to reassure they will always be loved. —Synopsis provided by Orchard Books

I Will Love You celebrates a mother’s love for her daughter. Together they travel vast landscapes while exploring honing in on simple things — a rainbow, butterfly wings, dandelion seeds. Alyssa Satin Capucilli’s silky text begs to be read aloud, and Lisa Anchin’s detailed illustrations quickly draw you in. This would be a good choice as a Mother’s Day gift for moms new and old.

CHARLOTTE AND THE ROCK, by Stephen W. Martin and Samantha Cotterill, Dial Books, March 14, 2017, Hardcover, $16.99 (ages 3-5)

Charlotte has always really wanted a pet, so when her parents present her with one for her birthday she expects a cat, dog, or maybe a bird. Instead, she receives a rock. Rocks can’t cuddle, fetch, or even help her eat her vegetables, but that doesn’t stop Charlotte from loving her rock as if he were real. If only he could love her back…or can he? —Synopsis provided by Dial Books

Oh, my gosh! The surprise twist at the end of Charlotte and the Rock is awesome! As a parent of a child who loves pets, but can’t have one, I totally understand where Charlotte’s parents are coming from. I also love how Charlotte is able to see beyond an inanimate object and really fall for her rock as a friend. This is a sweet story and the illustrations are great.

AGES 4 AND UP

HAPPY DREAMER, by Peter H. Reynolds, Orchard Books, March 28, 2017, Hardcover, $17.99 (ages 4-8)

While the world tells us to sit still, to follow the rules, and to color inside the lines, Happy Dreamer celebrates all those moments in between when the mind and spirit soar and we are free to become our own true dreamer maximus! This picture book reminds children of how much their dreams matter, and while life will have ups and downs, he enlists readers to stay true to who they are, to tap into their most creative inner selves, and to never ever forget to dream big! —Synopsis provided by Orchard Books

Happy Dreamer celebrates and fosters imagination. There’s a fine line between setting boundaries and stifling creativity. This book will give readers the words needed to voice what kind of dreamer they are and want to become. Peter H. Reynnolds has crafted this book with a rather loose format and flowing illustrations that play well to the overall theme. This book will appeal to older readers, too, and is reminiscent of Oh, The Places You’ll Go.

ARE WE STILL FRIENDS? by Ruth Horowitz and Blanca Gomez, Scholastic Press, Feb. 28, 2017, Hardcover, $16.99 (ages 4-8)

Beatrice and Abel are the finest of friends. Beatrice raises bees. Abel grows apples. In summer, they gather sticky, sweet honey together, and in fall, they harvest ripe, red fruit. They make a perfect pair in every season, and so do the bees and the trees. Until one spring morning, Abel startles a bee–ZING!–and gets stung. “WHEE HEE HEE!” he cries. But Beatrice hears only the silly sounds and laughs. OUCH! Is their friendship strong and steady enough to weather the stinging words and messy quarrel that stem from misunderstanding? —Synopsis provided by Scholastic Press

Are We Still Friends begins with a simple misunderstanding between two friends. The book helps children recognize missed social cues and mistakes, and helps them see the value of an apology. By mirroring real life, the lessons immediately become applicable.

This book is also a good tool for parents who are trying to explain the isolationist views have been at the forefront of politics in recent months. Are We Still Friends simplifies the concept so that even a small child can see how interconnected things are and how dependent we are upon each other.

A charming story paired with equally charming illustrations makes this a good choice for children learning about friendship.

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“LITTLE OWL’S DAY,” by Divya Srinivasan, Viking Books for Young Readers, Feb. 9, 2016, Boardbook, $7.99 (ages 2-5)

Chikit-chikit-chik! A squirrel is chittering. Little Owl opens his eyes to the bright sunlight. He’s supposed to be asleep, but he’s too curious about the world around him. The forest is so different during the day. He watches butterflies dance, wolf pups play and sees his first rainbow. When Little Owl returns to his tree, he’s tired, but he has so much to tell Raccoon and a moon to show Bear.

A companion to “Little Owl’s Night,” “Little Owl’s Day” continues the celebration of the natural world. Lilting text is combined with adorable illustrations, making this a book young ones will return to multiple times.

“P IS FOR PETER (PETER RABBIT),” by Beatrix Potter, Warne, Feb. 9, 2016, Boardbook, $9.99 (ages 2-5)

If you’re a fan of Beatrix Potter, but are looking for something that might appeal to even the youngest of readers, “P is for Peter” is an excellent choice. This sweet boardbook introduces readers to the alphabet with the help of Peter Rabbit and his friends. “A is for . . . A cozy dormouse. B is for . . . sleeping bunnies. C is for … A curious creature.” The illustrations are classic Potter with soft colors and gentle creatures welcoming with every turn of the page.

“PARIS: A BOOK OF SHAPES,” by Ashley Evanson, Grosset & Dunlap, Oct. 20, 2015, Boardbook, $6.99 (ages 2-5)

Paris is an art-lover’s dream, not only for the paintings and sculpture, but for the architecture as well. In “Paris: A Book of Shapes,” Ashley Evanson uses that architecture to introduce little readers to shapes within the surrounding world. There are triangles at the Louvre, rectangles at Notre-Dame Cathedral, arches at the Arc de Triomphe and stars in the night sky. Bold colors and graphic illustrations play up the shapes theme while maintaining the look of the real places featured. “Paris: A Book of Shapes” is part of Evanson’s Hello, World series, which pairs early learning concepts with illustrations of cities around the world. Also available are “London: A Book of Opposites,” “San Francisco: A Book of Numbers” and “New York: A Book of Colors.”

“NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC KIDS LOOK AND LEARN: FARM ANIMALS (LOOK & LEARN),” by National Geographic Children’s Books, Feb. 9, 2016, Boardbook $6.99 (ages 2-5)

Farm animals come in all shapes and sizes. From cows and chicks to sheep and pigs, young readers will meet their favorite farm animals, and learn more about them through simple, age-appropriate language in this colorful board book. “Farm Animals” offers fun tidbits that go beyond, “this is a horse,” and a simple quiz at the end offers further learning opportunities.

“EVERY DAY BIRDS,” by Amy Ludwig VanDerwater and Dylan Metrano, Orchard Books, Feb. 23, 2016, Hardcover, $17.99 (ages 3-5)

“Every day we watch for birds weaving through our sky. We listen to their calls and songs. We like to see them fly.” Young readers are invited to explore the world of birds with simple poetic text: “Heron fishes with his bill. Sparrow hops in brown.” But the star here is the beautiful paper-cuttings by first-time picture book illustrator Dylan Metrano.

Though my daughter just turned 2, she was immediately drawn to “Every Day Birds.” We read the book four times in a row with our first sitting, and have continued to love it since. An added bonus is a section featuring interesting facts about each bird at the back of the book. This inclusion brings new information and interest as readers grow older.

The Bug Book by Sue Fliess, Grosset & Dunlap, Feb. 23, 2016, Softcover, $3.99 (ages 3-5)

Children are so curious. Often, they don’t know to be scared or grossed out by something, because they haven’t been told to. “The Bug Book” celebrates bugs of all fashions — fast, slow and everything in between. This photo-filled book gives little explorers up-close looks at spiders, butterflies, ladybugs and more.

“BUNNY HOPWELL’S FIRST SPRING,” by Jean Fritz, Grosset & Dunlap; Reissue edition, Feb 5, 2015, Hardcover, $7.99 (ages 3-5)

Bunny Hopwell doesn’t understand why everyone is so excited about Spring — he was born during the winter, and all he’s known is snow and cold. After smelling fresh grass and hearing robins sing, he finally understands what Spring is—the perfect time to spring over the garden fence and explore the world.

Bunny Hopwell is exactly like a toddler/preschooler — itching to get outside, run everywhere and examine all the things that the cold and snow kept hidden during the winter. Children will love the darling illustrations and will relate to his anticipation for spring.

“TOO MANY CARROTS,” by Katy Hudson, Capstone Young Readers, Feb. 1, 2016, Hardcover, $14.95 (ages 3-5)

Rabbit loves carrots. He collects them wherever he goes. The problem is, they won’t all fit in his burrow. There are so many carrots he can’t even sleep. When his friends offer to help him out, they end up getting displaced themselves. Finally, there’s only one thing to do — share everything with his friends.

“Too Many Carrots” is a comical look at how friends are willing to help even when the going gets rough. Young readers will delight in watching things play out as Rabbit tries to squeeze into turtle’s shell and perch in Bird’s nest. The illustrations are charming and the story endearing.

“MAKE WAY FOR DUCKLINGS 75TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION,” by Robert McCloskey, Viking Books for Young Readers; Anv edition, March 29, 2016, Hardcover, $24.99 (ages 3-7)

It’s been 75 years since a family of ducks marched across the page and became a staple of family libraries across the world. It’s the story of Mr. and Mrs. Mallard who are looking for a safe place to raise their ducklings. Along the way, they make a rest stop in Boston’s Public Garden. The soon-to-be parents decide this might just be the right spot, and the timing is perfect. With the help of their smart mama and some kind policemen, the ducklings make their way through Boston to their permanent home.

“Make Way for Ducklings” was awarded the Caldecott Medal for the most distinguished picture book of the year. It’s a classic that many young readers know by heart. The 75^th anniversary edition is slipcased and includes an audio CD as well as a poster of the ducklings’ Boston by Caldecott Award-winner Paul Zelinsky. This edition is gorgeous, but if you don’t want to spend $25, there are hardback, paperback and digital editions available as well.

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